The Lifecycle of a star

Nebula

A Nebula is a large cloud of gas and dust spread out in an immense volume.

Protostar

A Protostar is a contracting cloud of gas and dust with enough mass to form a star. It is the earliest stage in a stars life.

Star

A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity.

Red Giant

When a low-mass star runs out of fuel, it's core shrinks and outer portion expands, becoming a Red Giant.

Supergiant

When a high-mass star runs out of fuel, it's core shrinks and outer portion expands, becoming a Supergiant.

Planetary Nebula

When a Red Giant runs out of fuel, it does not explode, but instead slowly drifts apart, becoming a Planetary Nebula.

Supernova

A Supernova is a sudden, massive explosion of when a Supergiant runs out of fuel.

White Dwarf

The cool, blue-white core of a low-mass star thats left behind.

Black Dwarf

When a White Dwarf eventually stops glowing, it becomes a Black Dwarf.

Neutron Star

Neutron Stars are the remains of high-mass stars. They are even smaller and denser than White Dwarfs.

Black Hole

An object with gravity so strong, that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. They are made from the remnants of Supernovas.